King James Version

What Does Psalms 31:10 Mean?

Psalms 31:10 in the King James Version says “For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones a...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.”

Psalms 31:10 · KJV

Strength

Context

8

And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.

9

Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.

10

For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.

11

I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.

12

I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel. a broken: Heb. a vessel that perisheth

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed. David traces suffering to root cause—iniquity—while describing all-encompassing effects across time, vitality, physicality. This demonstrates Reformed conviction about sin's destructiveness.

My life is spent with grief uses economic terminology. Hebrew kalah means to complete, finish, use up. David's life force is being depleted. Combined with years with sighing, David conveys chronic, wearing suffering over extended time.

My strength faileth (Hebrew kashal—stumble, totter, grow feeble) reveals cumulative effect. David, the mighty warrior, admits weakness. Reformed theology recognizes that even strongest human strength fails under persistent affliction. True strength comes only from the Lord who doesn't grow weary.

Because of mine iniquity provides theological diagnosis. David connects suffering to sin—recognizing human misery fundamentally stems from the fall. My bones are consumed presents deepest physical deterioration. This comprehensive destruction—life, years, strength, bones—illustrates total depravity's effects, requiring divine intervention for restoration.

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Historical & Cultural Context

David's consciousness of iniquity causing suffering reflects Deuteronomic theology—obedience brings blessing, disobedience brings curse. However, David's theology is more nuanced than crude retribution. He acknowledges general sinfulness in fallen world.

Language of bones being consumed appears in penitential psalms (32:3, 51:8), suggesting David may be experiencing consequences of own sins. Reformers saw penitential psalms as essential for understanding justification—must acknowledge iniquity before receiving grace.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does acknowledging sin as root cause differ from claiming specific sins cause specific sufferings?
  2. In what ways have you experienced the 'consuming' effect of persistent affliction?
  3. Why must believers acknowledge iniquity before receiving God's mercy?
  4. How does recognizing human strength's failure drive dependence on God?
  5. What does sin's comprehensive effect reveal about salvation's need?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
כִּ֤י1 of 11
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כָל֪וּ2 of 11

“is spent”

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

בְיָג֡וֹן3 of 11

“with grief”

H3015

affliction

חַיַּי֮4 of 11

“For my life”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

וּשְׁנוֹתַ֪י5 of 11

“and my years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

בַּאֲנָ֫חָ֥ה6 of 11

“with sighing”

H585

sighing

כָּשַׁ֣ל7 of 11

“faileth”

H3782

to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall

בַּעֲוֺנִ֣י8 of 11

“because of mine iniquity”

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

כֹחִ֑י9 of 11

“my strength”

H3581

vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)

וַעֲצָמַ֥י10 of 11

“and my bones”

H6106

a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame

עָשֵֽׁשׁוּ׃11 of 11

“are consumed”

H6244

probably to shrink, i.e., fail

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 31:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 31:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 38:3Psalms 88:15Psalms 32:3-4Romans 9:2Psalms 78:33Job 3:24

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